I just spent a bunch of time getting depressed about how much a "decent" band saw fence was going to cost me - a lot more than I paid for my three-wheeler! Then I found your video, and I'm going to replace the entire bed and relocate the mitre guide and put a fence on it, and attach a clamp to it. Brilliant. Cheap. Double plus good! Thank you so much.
It must be odd to get comments years after posting videos, but I just ran into this video and it solved such a huge problem for me that I felt the need to post. I have a 10" Rikon benchtop band saw and the fence was crap. After this video and a little problem solving, I made this jig and now the accuracy of my cuts are ridiculous. Thanks again, Tom for making my little saw perform like a big boy saw. Happy Holidays.
This is a great idea. As a bonus I felt educated rather than talked down to. I find other presenters of a similar age tend to talk down to the audience rather than educate them. It was nice change!
Tom Casper, Thank you for this simple clear explanation. I like your straightforward style of presentation and have learned numerous useful things from your videos. This heartfelt compliment comes from a guy who has been working with wood for over fifty years. Best Wishes! LL
Almost 8 years after the video was made ... I love that fence set up and the fact you have the ability to slide your fence so smoothly and accurately is quite impressive.
You have answered a question about a bandsaw fence that I have wondered about for months. Thanks so much for sharing, ain't youtube an awesome invention? Very grateful for sharing your wisdom.
This is an extremely helpful video, thank you. Especially so since coming from someone with YEARS of experience. For those of us beginners, what a wealth of information we have access to.
Finally, a bandsaw fence that I like!!! I will be making one of these very soon! I have also used my bandsaw to cut slot bottoms like this, it is actually pretty efficient, because you can do it all with one setup. Thanks for the great video!!
I am new on this woodworking world and I have an old Delta band saw with out the fence. Definitely this is very well explained, usable and easy to build. Thanks, I ‘ll take a shot to see how it will come out.
Very slick idea. I will definitely be making a fence like this for my bandsaw, and I even have a spare miter gauge already. Thanks for sharing the idea
Thank you, this is the solution I was looking for! Just got my first bandsaw, got it off market place for 10 bucks, it didn't run. The switch needed to be replaced the cord was beat up, so I threw a new one on. Replaced all of my bearings, cleaned and greased everything up got some new blades, and if I may say so was a little work but boy what a deal for ten dollars. But my dilemma was a fence. I made one of my own design, only to get frustrated with it and just use my table saw so I am excited to try this out!
Fantastic video Tom. I hope the Producers feel absolutely "OBLIGED " to hand over a over-stuffed hockey sock full of money as a bonus for doing such a great job. Thanks Tom, Derek
First cut your piece of plywood. Second, measure the width of the miter slot on your bandsaw's table. Set up a dado set in your tablesaw to this width and cut a 1/4" deep groove into the bottom of the piece of plywood. Glue a 1/2" thick piece of wood into this groove. Next, measure the width of your miter gauge's bar. Cut a 3/8" deep dado, the same width as the miter gauge bar, across the top of your piece of plywood. Turn on the bandsaw and slide the jig into the blade, stopping about halfway.
Hi again Tom, I noticed one part of the Jig that did not get mentioned and that is the stop block on the bottom of the sled. Most people will catch this tiny issue but maybe you can put this as a note in the video description. Thanks again to yourself and American Woodworking for such a great jig. Regards, Derek
Yes, you still have to compensate for drift. Using a miter gauge for a fence makes this very easy to do, however. To angle the fence, you just loosen the head of the miter gauge, then re-tighten it when you've figured out the drift angle.
8:24 I have seen this technique making a dado with a circular saw and clean the rest of it moving the saw from side to side. That procedure reminds me kind of using a band saw like a router.
Pura vida great piece of advice in my country bandsaw is a very expensive woodworking machine :( in order to afford for one with industrial features .you can buy a cheap one but it doesnt has power to cut lumber in a nice way
Good/simple idea, but he should have clamped both ends of the fence, as you can see the end with the stop block moving at 6:12. Still something I’ll consider, thanks!!
Hi, I like your video and was wondering if you could give me just a little advice on my band saw. I have just had delivered my very first band saw, and have managed to build and set everything except two things. If you could help with these two questions it would be great. Firstly I have put a square edge to the side of my blade and it's square with just a little table movement. But when I put the square edge to the back of the blade, the bottom edge is touching the square but the top isn't. Is that okay, or do I need to alter it some how? The second thing is cleaning the table, I know I need to remove all the grease with a cleaning agent. But what can I use to coat the table after the clean? I live in the UK, and I can't find the Johnson's paste wax people talk about. Any help would be great thanks.
The way he finished the bottom of that long tenon had me thinking "a sharp chisel would have finished this job quicker". Maybe true, but this way is a little more secure, less chance to screw it up.
I had the same thought, at least to get the bulk of the excess removed and then finalize it with this method for the perfectly accurate 90 degree angle
That can be done with a dado set on a table saw, or with a drill press and the table band saw, or a drill press and a copping saw, many different ways, it all depends on what is easier for you.
Okay since one has to compensate for Blade Drift, does by having the plywood table over come that or does one still have to continue to compensate with this jig set up
I don't know how anyone could use a bandsaw much and not want a fence for it. You've shown an easy way to add one to most any saw. I think Magna or Shopsmith used to sell a bandsaw with similat crossed miter gage slots milled into its table many years ago. Always thought that could be useful.
Yup, and Shopsmith still sells the same bandsaw 75 years later. (I know your comment is 10 years old, at that time the Shopsmith bandsaw was only 65 years old.)
It just struck me: he is using a PowerMatic PWBS14 - just like mine... AND it comes with a very nice fence. The miter gauge isn't the very best in the world, but it suffices. I've got a Wixey digital protractor that I use when I need PRECISION..
Хобби
I love that fence! Great idea.
I just spent a bunch of time getting depressed about how much a "decent" band saw fence was going to cost me - a lot more than I paid for my three-wheeler!
Then I found your video, and I'm going to replace the entire bed and relocate the mitre guide and put a fence on it, and attach a clamp to it. Brilliant. Cheap. Double plus good! Thank you so much.
Just made this for my bandsaw, I have one word, “Tremendous” my cuts are so much more accurate, so simple, thank you so much.
It must be odd to get comments years after posting videos, but I just ran into this video and it solved such a huge problem for me that I felt the need to post. I have a 10" Rikon benchtop band saw and the fence was crap. After this video and a little problem solving, I made this jig and now the accuracy of my cuts are ridiculous. Thanks again, Tom for making my little saw perform like a big boy saw. Happy Holidays.
This is a great idea.
As a bonus I felt educated rather than talked down to. I find other presenters of a similar age tend to talk down to the audience rather than educate them. It was nice change!
Tom Casper,
Thank you for this simple clear explanation. I like your straightforward style of presentation and have learned numerous useful things from your videos. This heartfelt compliment comes from a guy who has been working with wood for over fifty years.
Best Wishes!
LL
Almost 8 years after the video was made ... I love that fence set up and the fact you have the ability to slide your fence so smoothly and accurately is quite impressive.
Just bought a bandsaw and been looking for fence ideas - this one is absolutely brilliant !! Will make one for mine. Thanks.
Excellent teaching, long enough and short enough, detailed yet simple, oh The Lord helps teachers be good
You have answered a question about a bandsaw fence that I have wondered about for months. Thanks so much for sharing, ain't youtube an awesome invention?
Very grateful for sharing your wisdom.
This is an extremely helpful video, thank you. Especially so since coming from someone with YEARS of experience. For those of us beginners, what a wealth of information we have access to.
Finally, a bandsaw fence that I like!!! I will be making one of these very soon! I have also used my bandsaw to cut slot bottoms like this, it is actually pretty efficient, because you can do it all with one setup. Thanks for the great video!!
I am new on this woodworking world and I have an old Delta band saw with out the fence. Definitely this is very well explained, usable and easy to build. Thanks, I ‘ll take a shot to see how it will come out.
You explain things really well, thank you!
Thank you for this video, very cleaver and useful. I can't wait to build the fence. Great video!
Very slick idea. I will definitely be making a fence like this for my bandsaw, and I even have a spare miter gauge already. Thanks for sharing the idea
I saw that coat rack in the mag. It was nice to see you giving a more detailed explanation of the bandsaw setup!
So simple it's BRILLIANT! Thank you.
Excellent Video. Thanks. Just what I needed for my little 12" craftsman band saw that I got with no fence.
Five years later...great video, despite those who are completely missing the point of the demonstration.
Thank you for sharing the information and making a straight forward well made video.
Thank you, this is the solution I was looking for! Just got my first bandsaw, got it off market place for 10 bucks, it didn't run. The switch needed to be replaced the cord was beat up, so I threw a new one on. Replaced all of my bearings, cleaned and greased everything up got some new blades, and if I may say so was a little work but boy what a deal for ten dollars. But my dilemma was a fence. I made one of my own design, only to get frustrated with it and just use my table saw so I am excited to try this out!
Very clever! I'm adding this to my list of tricks. Thank you for sharing!
That is what I am looking for. Really appreciate your presenting this idea.
Wonderful idea, thank you for sharing your knowledge.
So simple,so brilliant,fantastic, congratulations
What a great idea! And much needed. Gonna try this for myself.
It is mindblowing how simple this solution is.
Fantastic video Tom.
I hope the Producers feel absolutely "OBLIGED " to hand over a over-stuffed hockey sock full of money as a bonus for doing such a great job.
Thanks Tom,
Derek
Awesome video, great innovation thank you so much !!
That is an awesome idea!!!!
Thank You!
Very clever design. I may just take it and use it too. Thank you for posting it.
Just built one works great. thank you for the idea 😀
Wonderful addition, Think I'll build one today. Thank-You
Thank you I needed a fence for the used band saw I bought perfect❤
Thank you so much for such a great idea. I really need to make something like this
W
ow! Thank you so much for the brilliantly simple idea!
Simple and effective. Thank you.
Thanks for explaunung in detail
loved it
Merci Tom, tu as le talent des très bon professeurs
First cut your piece of plywood. Second, measure the width of the miter slot on your bandsaw's table. Set up a dado set in your tablesaw to this width and cut a 1/4" deep groove into the bottom of the piece of plywood. Glue a 1/2" thick piece of wood into this groove. Next, measure the width of your miter gauge's bar. Cut a 3/8" deep dado, the same width as the miter gauge bar, across the top of your piece of plywood. Turn on the bandsaw and slide the jig into the blade, stopping about halfway.
Great fence idea. I have an old Sears that needs this very much until I can afford a new larger one. Thanks
Now how cool is that! Just what I was looking for Thank You!
Great idea. Thank you
Great fence thank you so much!
very cool and effective, thank you !
Great idea! Thanks for this video
Thank you was a great show I love it......
Hi again Tom,
I noticed one part of the Jig that did not get mentioned and that is the stop block on the bottom of the sled. Most people will catch this tiny issue but maybe you can put this as a note in the video description. Thanks again to yourself and American Woodworking for such a great jig.
Regards,
Derek
Very slick idea - thank you
Totally awesome!
That was very useful. Thanks!
Great. A perfect example for the KISS.
Much better than my clamp on home made fence. Great Idea
Nicely Done!!!
Great video.
Brilliant!
Great idea.. very nice and innovative
very helpful I like the simplicity
Excellent!
thats epic , great video
I love it.
Thanks, now ill have to get the materials and make it, thanks once again.
well this will work for me because i don't have a fence on my 9" band saw great video
This will work great on our old delta 14".
Parabéns pelo vídeo,
Gostei muito
Excelente .
fantastic
Yes, you still have to compensate for drift. Using a miter gauge for a fence makes this very easy to do, however. To angle the fence, you just loosen the head of the miter gauge, then re-tighten it when you've figured out the drift angle.
8:24 I have seen this technique making a dado with a circular saw and clean the rest of it moving the saw from side to side. That procedure reminds me kind of using a band saw like a router.
Thank you.
Just what I need!! I am wondering though, how to attach the fence board onto the mitre piece?
Pura vida great piece of advice in my country bandsaw is a very expensive woodworking machine :( in order to afford for one with industrial features .you can buy a cheap one but it doesnt has power to cut lumber in a nice way
Good/simple idea, but he should have clamped both ends of the fence, as you can see the end with the stop block moving at 6:12.
Still something I’ll consider, thanks!!
Really clever
Genius!
nice fence, go cubs!
thank you
Smart man !
Good idea.
Slick as greas!
cool fence
just a great tip, mac.
Great! I like it. ;-)
Hi, I like your video and was wondering if you could give me just a little advice on my band saw. I have just had delivered my very first band saw, and have managed to build and set everything except two things. If you could help with these two questions it would be great. Firstly I have put a square edge to the side of my blade and it's square with just a little table movement. But when I put the square edge to the back of the blade, the bottom edge is touching the square but the top isn't. Is that okay, or do I need to alter it some how? The second thing is cleaning the table, I know I need to remove all the grease with a cleaning agent. But what can I use to coat the table after the clean? I live in the UK, and I can't find the Johnson's paste wax people talk about. Any help would be great thanks.
owesome fence men like it alot men
mind blown
Super idea! Been trying to figure out a fence for my Ridgid bandsaw. What are the dimensions to your setup?
thanks
Larry David really knows his shit..
6 years after your initial comment and I was just going to make the same remark..ha
The way he finished the bottom of that long tenon had me thinking "a sharp chisel would have finished this job quicker". Maybe true, but this way is a little more secure, less chance to screw it up.
I had the same thought, at least to get the bulk of the excess removed and then finalize it with this method for the perfectly accurate 90 degree angle
That can be done with a dado set on a table saw, or with a drill press and the table band saw, or a drill press and a copping saw, many different ways, it all depends on what is easier for you.
Okay since one has to compensate for Blade Drift, does by having the plywood table over come that or does one still have to continue to compensate with this jig set up
Happen to have instructions on how to make that initial table that the fence goes onto? Thanks
I am new to all this. Is there a tip on how to set up for such a long length of board to be absolutely even on the table?
what's the perfect blade for the solid wood
I don't know how anyone could use a bandsaw much and not want a fence for it. You've shown an easy way to add one to most any saw. I think Magna or Shopsmith used to sell a bandsaw with similat crossed miter gage slots milled into its table many years ago. Always thought that could be useful.
Yup, and Shopsmith still sells the same bandsaw 75 years later. (I know your comment is 10 years old, at that time the Shopsmith bandsaw was only 65 years old.)
Great video, thanks. Go White Sox!!!
to side cut with a band saw is like hammering with a screwdriver
do you have a video for that stool/extension table that can be seen in the bottom left corner of the shot?
It just struck me: he is using a PowerMatic PWBS14 - just like mine...
AND it comes with a very nice fence. The miter gauge isn't the very best in the world, but it suffices. I've got a Wixey digital protractor that I use when I need PRECISION..